THE DEDICATION of two heroes of Macclesfield’s local sports scene have been honoured at a Cheshire county awards dinner.

Rachael Burrows, head coach of Macclesfield Trampoline Club, and Emma Hill, a volunteer at the Wheelies Sports Club, received recognition for their efforts at the Cheshire and Warrington Sports PArtnership awards dinner.

The pair were nominated by those who benefit from their invaluable help and commitment to providing sporting activities in the borough.

Judges presented Rachael with the Female Coach of the Year award and Emma received the Young Volunteer of the Year prize.

The fifth annual event, held at Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel, was hosted by Olympic swimmer Steve Parry, one of only three people to beat the legendary Michael Phelps, and the guest speaker was Jamie Andrew, a mountaineer who had his hands and feet amputated following an accident in the French Alps.

Rachael was honoured for her work in establishing the Macclesfield Trampoline Club, which she recently guided to the North West title in five age categories. She also runs the Maximum Cheer and Rising Stars cheerleading clubs and donates around 100 hours per month to coaching her young charges, in addition to 72 paid hours each month.

Emma, from Bollington, donates her time and effort to helping adults and children in order to help them overcome their disabilities through sporting activity.

Despite being just 12, Emma is an invaluable carer and volunteer at the Wheelies multi-sport group. She establishes relationships with others and shows sensitivity to their needs and has completed courses to qualify her to take members sailing.

Michelle Carney, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Cheshire, said: "The awards dinner is a chance to say thank you to all the unsung heroes contributing to the development of sport. Our coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs are the driving force behind sport development, ensuring that people have the opportunity to experience sport at its best."